Sotheby's tasting Fall 2015

Pre-auction tasting hosted by Sotheby's Hong Kong.

1998 Pontet-Canet - kinda alcoholic.  Minty nose with a little wood and some plum.  Tannins are still here.

2003 Latour - opened more than 2½ before I tasted it.  Slightly ripe on the nose, a little smoky, with a hint of earthiness, and definitely coffee notes.  Drinking nicely.

Valentine Bourrié from BOND was here to pour all five cuvées from the stable which - with the exception of Melbury - featured the wine's inaugural vintage.

2007 BOND Melbury - sweeter nose, more coconut, deeper and more complex, with forest notes.  Tannins are here but lighter than expected.

2006 BOND Quella - nice and jammy, young and a little punchy.

2003 BOND Pluribus - also exotic and sweet, with plenty of coconut in the nose.  Sweet on the palate.

2001 BOND St. Eden - a little sharp and alcoholic.  Very ripe, with a little coffee.  Still tannic on the finish.

1999 BOND Vecina - most harmonious of the five since it was the oldest.  Ripe, sweet, and fragrant nose, with cedar, coffee, and almost a little chili pepper notes.

2007 Pavie Macquin - nose of smoke, coffee, a little mint, and pretty ripe.

2009 Certan de May - smoky and a little earthy.

2005 Pichon-Lalande - very ripe and rich, surprisingly so extracted.

2003 Pichon-Lalande - ripe nose with coffee and cedar notes.

2005 Pichon-Baron - ripe nose with cedar and smoky notes.

2000 Cos d'Estournel - open nose with smoky notes, a little green pepper, and a little chocolate.  Drinking pretty well.

2005 Cos d'Estournel - somewhat ripe on the nose.  Tannins are still here.